The trial of Paraguay's President, Fernando Lugo, was due to begin yesterday in the senate after lawmakers voted to impeach the former Roman Catholic bishop for his role in a deadly clash involving landless farmers.

Mr Lugo, who was elected four years ago on promises that he would help the country's poor, went on national television to dismiss rumours that he would resign and vowed to face the trial "with all its consequences".

The lower house voted 76-1 on Thursday to impeach the President. Hours later the senate announced that it would begin his trial the next day.

The trigger for the impeachment move was an attempt in June by police to evict about 150 farmers from a remote reserve.